Jeff McDonald: Pop says not so fast

Leave it to Gregg Popovich to throw cold water over Manu Ginobili’s plans of appearing in an NBA game as soon as Monday.

Ginobili, the injured Spurs guard, told the gathered media at Friday morning’s shootaround he’d attempt to lobby his head coach in hopes of making Monday’s game at Memphis the target date for his return from offseason ankle surgery. However, Popovich doesn’t appear to be on the verge of cracking just yet.

Asked before tonight’s game against Utah when Ginobili might be ready to see his first action of the season, Popovich’s answer was as simple as it was vague.